Head Coach Ouahbi satisfied with Morocco’s performance against Gabon

National coach Mohamed Ouahbi expressed his satisfaction with the Atlas Lions’ performance following their 2-0 victory over Gabon on Friday, in the opening match of Group A in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

“I am pleased with the outcome of this match. We played well, we won, and we completely dominated the game. We created a lot of chances and could have scored more goals,” Ouahbi said during the post-match press conference.

However, the national coach noted the need for continued improvement, emphasizing that the team must be more clinical in the final third.

“We were convincing, but we can do better. We hold high standards for ourselves and will keep progressing,” he affirmed.

He added that the Atlas Lions need to, in particular, “convert their opportunities better and make simpler decisions.”

When asked about his attacking selection, Ouahbi explained that starting Zabiri was largely due to his strong current form with his club, Racing Santander.

“It comes down to current form. He is performing well with his club,” he explained.

Regarding Rahimi, who came off the bench to score Morocco’s second goal, the coach highlighted his offensive qualities.

“We know his qualities. He is explosive; he came on and scored. Every player is important. We don’t have a rigid hierarchy,” he stressed.

Ouahbi also praised the performance of the young players, particularly Ali Maamar and Abdellah Ouazzane, noting that Ouazzane “came on at a tricky moment but showed great quality.”

Furthermore, the national coach commended the solidity of the central defense pair, Nayef Aguerd and Diop, noting that the two defenders “know each other well” and bring “a lot of composure to the backline.”

Looking ahead in the qualifying campaign, Ouahbi highlighted the importance of properly managing upcoming away trips.

“We have a long journey to South Africa. I told the players this, but we will focus on what we can control. These trips will help us grow,” he said.

Finally, the national coach assured that his team will approach the next match against Lesotho with the aim of maintaining their momentum: “We will field the best possible team to secure a second consecutive win.”